OXFORD – The Oxford Blackhawks boys’ basketball team had seen many close games this season, where they had fallen behind late in contests. However, Wednesday’s match-up against MAC opponent Afton was much different. Oxford snapped a three-game skid with a 66-42 win against the Crimson Knights.

Oxford was off to a hot start on both ends of the court. The Blackhawks dominated defensively, holding Afton to 13 points in the first half, and were able to drive offensively with 31 points. Oxford continued to play aggressively after the break, but Afton improved in the second half. However, the Crimson Knights’ efforts were not enough as they couldn’t slow Oxford down.

Oxford continues to be led by Donovan Rickard and Caden Rifanburg. Rickard posted 20 points, where he knocked in two three’s before halftime and excelled in the first and third quarters. Rifanburg finished behind him with 15 points. Jared Sheridan had 11 points, including a buzzer beater three as time expired in the third quarter. Oxford also shot 76 percent at the foul line, making 10-of-13 free-throws.

Afton was led by Equan Patterson with 18 points as Carter Burns pushed through in the fourth quarter to finish with 13 points.

Oxford (4-7) hosts Delhi on Wednesday, January 24 at 7:15 p.m. while Afton (3-8) hosts Bainbridge-Guilford this evening at 7:15 p.m.

Scores by quarter:

AF 6 7 12 17–42

OX 19 12 23 12—66

AF: Equan Patterson 18, Carter Burns 13, Spencer Wrench 6, Aidan Rogers 2, Ryan Wright 2, Cooper Warren 1.

OX: Donovan Rickard 20, Caden Rifanburg 15, Jared Sheridan 11, Ben Sheridan 5 (free-throws), Sam Hendricks 4, Kyle Benjamin 3, Landen Olinski 2, Sylas Emerson 2, Eli Bennett 2.

Three-pointers: AF 1 (Patterson); OX 4 (Rickard 2, Rifanburg, J Sheridan).